YO! has joined forces with Disney and Pixar to transform its Arndale restaurant into an ‘International Space Sushi Station’, creating an extra-terrestrial experience for Manchester locals to celebrate the forthcoming release of “Lightyear”, in cinemas June 17. After an overnight makeover, the restaurant is taking customers on an intergalactic adventure and giving wannabe space cadets the chance to dine among the stars. Available for a limited time only, diners have until July 10 to experience the International Space Sushi Station first-hand.
Alongside the Space Station landing in the Arndale, a limited-edition “Lightyear” inspired menu is now available, with options including all-new Rocket Booster Bento Boxes available in chicken, prawn, or pumpkin katsu, and other intergalactic treats. The new menu will be rolled out nationwide, with YO! fans also in with the chance of winning the ultimate “Lightyear” inspired prize bundle in a competition hosted across YO!’s social channels. With the competition open until July 10, the lucky winner will be able to enter other worlds with the latest VR headset, turn their home into a galactic space station with a holographic light display, and keep in touch with video smartwatches. Runners-up won’t miss out either, with 180 YO! vouchers for spending in-store up for grabs.
Christian Haas, Managing Director, UK, at YO! said: “We are delighted to be working with Pixar to celebrate “Lightyear” and bring a new generation of YO! fans into our restaurants. We love welcoming families in our restaurants and being able to introduce family members of any age to Japanese-inspired dishes. What better way to do that than by partnering with this famous film studio in honour of a character close to so many people’s hearts! We look forward to adding to filmgoers’ “Lightyear” experience at their nearest YO!”
A sci-fi action adventure and the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the hero who inspired the toy, “Lightyear” follows the legendary Space Ranger after he’s marooned on a hostile planet 4.2 million light-years from Earth alongside his commander and their crew. As Buzz tries to find a way back home through space and time, he’s joined by a group of ambitious recruits and his charming robot companion cat, Sox. Complicating matters and threatening the mission is the arrival of Zurg, an imposing presence with an army of ruthless robots and a mysterious agenda.
The film features the voices of Chris Evans as accomplished Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear, Uzo Aduba as his commander and best friend Alisha Hawthorne and Peter Sohn as Sox. Keke Palmer, Taika Waititi and Dale Soules lend their voices to the Junior Zap Patrol’s Izzy Hawthorne, Mo Morrison and Darby Steel, respectively, and James Brolin can be heard as the enigmatic Zurg. The voice cast also includes Mary McDonald-Lewis as onboard computer I.V.A.N., Isiah Whitlock Jr. as Commander Burnside, Efren Ramirez as Airman Diaz, and Keira Hairston as Young Izzy. Directed by Angus MacLane (co-director “Finding Dory”), produced by Galyn Susman (“Toy Story That Time Forgot”) and featuring a score by award-winning composer Michael Giacchino (“The Batman,” “Up”).
